Ironically, this palace before you embodies both immense pride and devastating loss. This is the Krasiński Palace. It stands on Krasiński Square. Once known as the Palace of the Commonwealth, it whispers tales of ambition, art, and agonizing destruction.
Built between 1677 and 1683, the Krasiński Palace was the vision of Jan Dobrogost Krasiński. He was the Voivode of Płock. Krasiński wanted to showcase his family’s importance. He hired Tylman van Gameren, a Dutch architect, to design it. Krasiński’s pride fueled the palace’s creation. He even promoted a legend about his family’s royal connections.
Krasiński was very interested in French culture. He sought renowned French artists. He even kept detailed records of the construction’s progress. Gameren designed a French-style palace. It would have a courtyard and garden but it was never fully completed.
Sculptor Andreas Schlüter decorated the palace. His work included reliefs depicting the triumph of Manius Valerius Maximus Corvinus Messalla. He was a legendary ancestor of Polish clans. Michelangelo Palloni, John III Sobieski’s court painter, created frescoes. The frescoes in the vestibule were particularly notable. Joseph Bellotti oversaw other decorations. The interiors were partially finished by 1699. Paintings by Dürer, Correggio, Rembrandt, and Rubens once adorned the palace. Sadly, they are no longer here.
In 1765, the Polish State bought the Krasiński Palace. It became the seat of the Treasury Commission. After a fire in 1783, Domenico Merlini remodeled it. The palace housed the Supreme Court of Poland during the interwar period.
World War II brought immense destruction. The Germans burned and partially demolished the Krasiński Palace. Only the outer shell remained. The Germans deliberately destroyed most of the Załuski Library collection after the Warsaw Uprising.
The Krasiński Palace was rebuilt after the war. Reconstruction finished in 1961. Today, it houses the Polish National Library’s Special Collections Section. This includes manuscripts and old prints. Only a small percentage of the original Załuski Library collection remains.
Remarkably, the Krasiński Palace opened its doors to the public on May 21, 2024. Visitors can now view priceless objects. These include the Sankt Florian Psalter and Holy Cross Sermons. Manuscripts by famous Polish writers are also on display. Admission is free six days a week. It is closed on Tuesdays.
The Krasiński Palace stands as a symbol of resilience. It’s a testament to Warsaw’s enduring spirit. The palace shows us that even from ashes, beauty and knowledge can rise again. Take a moment to appreciate the Krasiński Palace. It is a unique blend of history, art, and Polish pride.